What is the perfect retro Christmas Cocktail?
If you ask Estelle, then instantly she will say the humble snowball. Invented in the UK in the 1940s, but not catching on until the 70s, this cocktail is super easy to make and tastes delicious, getting its name from the white frothy foam on the top once mixed.
Most people I know who grew up from the 50s to the 80s a snowball cocktail at Christmas was their first taste of alcohol, I have memories of my own grandma giving me one around the age of 5. And whilst the neat liqueur is quite potent, in cocktail form it works out at around 4.5% alc/vol. Note to reader, I am not condoning giving alcohol to children at any point, it just seems to have been a *thing* back then….
What is the snowball made from? The main ingredient is Advocaat, which you may have seen on the supermarket shelves and wondered what it was. Advocaat is a richly flavoured bright yellow liqueur bases drink which taste reminds me of boozy custard.
With Snowballs being THE retro Christmas cocktail of choice 70s House Manchester have designed a range of kitsch home accessories for this Christmas season, including our Lancashire made 100% cotton tea towel, a set of drinks coasters, perfect for protecting your mid century teak coffee table when sipping on the cocktail and even a badge and brooch from our lovely partners Leopard Print Bee.
Despite their similarities with ingredients the American Eggnog and Advocaat are two very different drinks, Eggnog being made from eggs, sugar, cream, and rum or whisky, whilst advocaat is made from brandy, egg yolks, vanilla and sugar, as a result eggnog is not suitable for the following recipe.
The traditional snowball is made with the following
- Advocaat
- Lime Cordial /Freshly Squeezed Lime
- Lemonade
- Maraschino Cherry to garnish
- Retro 70s Glass/Stirrer and cocktail umbrella (optional)
- Add a chilled shot of advocaat into a shaker or lidded jar, add a dash of lime and top up with lemonade to taste, shake gently and serve.
- Garnish with a cherry on a cocktail stick or a cocktail umbrella.
I sometimes add a shot of Ginger Wine into the mix to give it some extra kick, others use prosecco instead of lemonade, but the original one always is the best for me for me.
If you do not wish to mix your own cocktail then there are pre mixed versions available on supermarket shelves in the UK, Goldwell in small green bottles and if you look you may see Warninks in a can in Morrisons and Waitrose.
Let me know if you will be trying a Snowball cocktail this season….
Big Love
Estelle x
Please note that this blog post represents my own thoughts and nostalgia and is no way sponsored by any drinks companies including Goldwell and Warninks.
Drink responsibly, do not give to anyone under the age of 18 (UK)